Metabolomics genetic modification

Metabolomics evaluate the final downstream products of the genome, which represent the total low-molecular-weight compounds (metabolites) present in cells or an organism (Dunn et al. 2005). Since these participate in metabolic reactions required for growth, maintenance, and normal function they are indicative for the response of living systems to patho-physiological stimuli or genetic modification. 

Note that an integral part of the metabolomic approach is the application of pattern recognition techniques to deduce what variation in a data set is associated with a given disease, genetic modification, or other manipulation of the system. Because of space limitations, it is not possible to discuss this area as part of this article, but we refer the reader to several excellent reviews (33, 34). 

The study of the time-dependent changes in the metabolome as a function of physiological stimulation or genetic modification is known as metabonomics... 

There is a current trend towards development of crops with enhanced nutritional properties or health-related benefits through genetic modification of metabolic pathways. These more complex modifications have greater potential for introducing unpredictable unintended effects, and it may be advisable to supplement current targeted analysis procedures with metabolomics methods. The second part of the chapter discusses the... 

---